(Update: adding video, comments from Deschutes County Health Services & St. Charles Health System) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Flu activity is beginning to increase in Central Oregon as students return to classrooms and colder weather brings more people indoors. Dr. Cynthia Maree, medical director of infection prevention for St. Charles Health System, said the health
Continue Reading
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, Redmond Fire & Rescue is inviting you to their community day! The fun takes place this Saturday, September 19th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Station 401, located at 341 NW Dogwood Avenue in Redmond. The family-friendly day is free to attend, and will include tours of the station’s vehicles,
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor has an adorable new team member! Scribble is a young black lab navigating the world of Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol, in training to become an Avalanche Rescue Dog. He recently got to go on his first chairlift ride and is taking his time exploring the mountain. Instagram: @scribbleonpatrol From
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is calling for more federal oversight of artificial intelligence. Senator Merkley says experts heard during a recent briefing recommended creating a regulatory agency similar to the FDA. “You need the equivalent of FDA controlling new drugs,” Senator Merkley said Wednesday. “In this case, you’re really
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Developing now, here in Oregon, a sixth victim has been linked to a suspected serial killer currently behind bars. On Wednesday, Jesse Calhoun was charged with manslaughter in the death of Elizabeth Gibson in Multnomah County. Officials believe the 32-year-old woman was killed in 2022, although she wasn’t reported missing until the
Continue Reading
As millions of birds migrate through Oregon this fall, residents are being asked to dim unnecessary lights at night. Many birds travel after dark, and artificial light can disrupt their migration and increase the risk of window and building collisions. KTVZ’s Lance Campbell is looking at why darker skies matter during migration season, what people
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police and the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team arrested four people yesterday, Sept. 16, in connection with multiple assault, sexual assault and robbery cases. The arrests followed the execution of a search warrant at an apartment on NW Monterey Pines Drive in Bend. Officers arrested 19-year-old Jonah Dawit Crooks, 18-year-old
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crater Lake Spirits Hazelnut Espresso Vodka has been named as one of 16 finalists in the annual “Coolest Thing Made in Oregon” competition. The contest is hosted by Oregon Business and Industry to highlight products created across the state. While Hood River Distillers recently acquired the rights to distribute the vodka,
Continue Reading
Madras, Ore. (KTVZ) — Construction is underway at the McDonald’s in Madras following a fire earlier this year. The fast food restaurant suffered a minor fire in February. The owners told KTVZ the damage required a full replacement of the plumbing and electrical systems, prompting the owners to opt for a complete renovation. As one
Continue Reading BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Members of Congress are considering federal legislation to establish regulations for college student-athlete compensation and transfer rules. The proposed measure, known as the Protect College Sports Act, comes amid growing debate over how money and transfers are handled across college athletics. Since 2021, college athletes have been permitted to earn compensation
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren, alongside U.S. Reps. Val Hoyle, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Suhas Subramanyam, introduced legislation today aimed at banning corporate and private equity ownership of medical practices. The proposal, titled the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act, seeks to eliminate legal loopholes that allow private
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new report on the health of Oregon’s forests shows tree death and damage decreased in 2025, but drought continues to put stress on trees across the state. The Oregon Department of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service recently released the results of their annual aerial forest health survey. The survey
Continue Reading
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The La Pine Rural Fire Protection District has received a $2,499,000 grant for seismic upgrades and expansion at its main headquarters, Station 101 on Huntington Road. The funds will support facility improvements aimed at enhancing firefighter safety and emergency response capabilities. Station 101 serves as the central operational hub for
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue is holding a blood drive in honor of Michael Kienzle, a firefighter-paramedic and community mentor who passed away on June 7, 2026, following a battle with leukemia. Kienzle was diagnosed in early 2024 with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Kienzle dedicated
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor will host Job-A-Palooza, Central Oregon’s largest winter hiring event, this Saturday, Sept. 19, to recruit staff for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The hiring event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room in Bend, Ore. Job-A-Palooza offers prospective employees an opportunity to meet
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon is expanding their afterschool program to La Pine, with the new program to be hosted at the La Pine Community Center. The initiative will serve students from La Pine Elementary, Rosland Elementary and La Pine Middle School, operating Monday through Friday and ending
Continue Reading
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Amazon has formally established its presence in Central Oregon with the opening of an 80,000-square-foot logistics center in Redmond. The new facility has shortened delivery timelines across the region while adding hundreds of warehouse positions to the local workforce. The logistics hub began operations earlier this year and serves community zip
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A motorcyclist was injured in a crash involving another vehicle on South Highway 97, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred at 6th Street in La Pine on the afternoon of Sept. 15. Emergency responders with the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District transported the injured motorcycle driver
Continue Reading
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Search and Rescue K-9 team recently had the opportunity to learn from an experienced canine expert, thanks to support from the local community. Fundraising efforts helped the team bring in Robert Noziska for specialized training with the search and rescue dogs. Noziska previously served as Special Operations
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — September is National Child Passenger Safety Month, and Crook County Fire & Rescue is helping local families make sure children are riding safely. CCFR will host a free Car Seat Clinic on September 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at its main station, located at 500 NE Belknap Street in Prineville.
Continue Reading